Putter & Tweed

Hole 32 · Since 2023

Golf outfit ideas for men: polo, shorts, layers and retro

2020s club golf

Start with a polo and trousers or shorts, then add proper shoes, gloves and a hat. That is the basic shape of a golf outfit. The rest comes down to weather and what the clubhouse will let you through the door in.

A golfer in a wide-brimmed white hat, white polo shirt and dark shorts swinging through a tee shot
A golfer in a wide-brimmed white hat, white polo shirt and dark shorts swinging through a tee shot. PattayaPatrol / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0. CC BY-SA. Source.

What it solved on the course

Golf has no single uniform. Most clubs use a golf casual dress code requiring collared or golf-specific tops, tailored bottoms, and suitable shoes. Common bans include denim with rips or tears, tank tops, swimwear, and gym shorts. Weather decides the rest, from a breathable piqué polo in summer to a thermal base layer in cold conditions.

History

There is no universal golf uniform. One estimate put roughly 66.6 million golfers in 206 countries and territories in 2023, supporting the idea that there is no universal golf uniform. The basics stay put: a polo and trousers or shorts, then shoes, gloves and a hat.

Summer asks for a breathable piqué polo, tailored shorts that sit at the top of the kneecap, spikeless shoes and a structured cap. A polyester blend with moisture-wicking properties pulls sweat off the skin and tends to retain its shape after repeated swings. Spring wants the same polo with a lightweight overshirt or track jacket, tied round the waist or stashed in the cart once the sun arrives. Cold days start with a thermal base layer, add a mid layer fleece or sweatshirt, and finish with a waterproof jacket. Merino is reported to buffer moisture better than polyester and can absorb up to a third of its own weight without feeling wet.

Small details carry the outfit. For warm rounds, flat-front shorts can have a 9-inch inseam; stretch shorts in the 9- to 11-inch range sit above the knee and avoid bunching at the rise. Use a belt in leather or woven fabric with a low-profile buckle. A merino jumper or a tonal quarter-zip when the temperature drops. A sleeveless wind vest warms the core while keeping both arms free for the swing.

Who wore it best

  • Tiger Woods

    Nike lists the Air Zoom Tiger Woods Golf Shoes.[4]

How to wear it now

  1. Start with one polo you actually like and build the outfit outward. A solid heather polo in navy or gray carries shorts, trousers and a jumper without a second thought.
  2. For heat, keep shorts at the top of the kneecap and pick a webbed or woven belt. White trousers in a cling-free fabric read as warm weather and hide nothing, so get the fit right first.
  3. Layer in threes for a cold morning: thermal base layer, mid layer sweatshirt or jumper, then a water-repellent jacket you can shed by the third hole.
  4. For a member-guest or club final, stick to a collared polo and tailored trousers, leather spikeless shoes, and a belt that matches the shoes rather than the shirt.
  5. Retro works when you keep it to one piece. A knitted polo or a fine merino quarter-zip over plain trousers is enough; add a patterned cap only if the rest is quiet.

Where to buy

New

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Sources

  1. Three Putt Golf, Three Putt Golf. Retrieved 2026-10-01.
  2. Tattoo Golf, Tattoo Golf. Retrieved 2026-10-01.
  3. Plaid Gorilla Golf, Plaid Gorilla Golf. Retrieved 2026-10-01.
  4. Nike, Nike. Retrieved 2026-10-01.

Updated .